New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-03

Be5ant would give uS TO understand uouDt IL ho
would get much 81 cents for there must have oeen
a charge tor the composition OF the book portion OF
which is usually put each edition published ana
then If only 1000 copies we're sold, the publisher
would snfer actual loss.
In the discussion VI the question in the newspap-
els az well by Mr. Besant much stress Is laid upon
the fact that the publisher often makes manufactur-
ers profit on the product. And Why should he not,
the halfproit pan-at least on the hrst eni-
ton Possibly publisher would think OF doing TINS
in the case of an author OF reputation whose WORKS
would command an immediate and remuneratye sale.
But in nineteen out of twenty, the publication
of book is uncertain venture. publisher Is IN
dspensabe. Nothing can be done without him, Tor
have not yet reached the happy state where every
author is Ruskn, and his own publisher. Now II
publisher must be had Is his imprint Judgment, ex-
perence machinery ~ be had for nothing 10 the IN
terest of an unknown writer of whom the public has
never heard and may not ALAS as is most frequently
the casecare to hear Is the name OF Murray or Long
mans, Smith and Elder worth nothing on title
pagef Is not their facility for placing book to which
they have given their Endorsement worth something
to the unknown authori Shall they superntend the
work OF production giving their time and skill to do 1t
arL ht-and all the time with the feeling that success
is doubttul-sha they have "secret' profit and
rely solely upon the prospective sales And II there
should be in service Tor the privilege OF pup
fishing an unstable book
As to the English methods dealing with authors,
little practically, is known here Few contracts are
made the halt-proit plan; scarcely any In which
the author assumes all the cost OF manufacture and
sale. (Such books considered ~ having little. II
any, understandable vaue) The American publishers
onr ago adopted the simple rule, in where The
manuscript not bought outright, OF paying roy
atty or percentage on all copies sold On this plan,
when the author places his manuscript with the pup
Usher, he is not subjected to any OF the expenses
attending the publication or sale OF his book Should
he make the stereotype plates at his own cost The to
hold them his prOl eIty then his royalty would
be - per cent, instead ot 10, on the retail price
This Is the general rule.
d" 1t may be well take illustration OF authors
and publishers profits in this country under this rule
bearing in mind the important tact that to the cost or
production must be added the cost OF selling the book
tact which in all authors estimates OF prohts Is
lever considered. Take copyright volume OF 9OO
pages having no illustrations. and not loaded down
while in the hands OF the printer with authors cor
rections' and time on pro 'ts' To stereotype such
a book properly would cost $500; to manufacture
properly say Loo copies, $500 Here is an invest
ment OF 800 on the part OF the publisher. sale OF
three thousand copies of book is considered fair
sale. The retail price Is fixed at $50, and on tins
the author gets 10 per cent, $50. The book will
bring to the publisher about 30 cents copy. Let me
sum 1t up:
COST plate, $3.50 sales 1000 copies at .ooo
Cost ssnt Of on s" 20 per $50 Ss
N'O ''' '9'''' copes.............. 233
S'O'0 Net '1i profit to publisher log
" Aud what If tho be ok should reach sale OF only
900 copies Who will figure the RESULT And II
il be said that is not tar to add the cost OF selling
the book the cost OF production. tho inference must
be that the publisher IL conducting his business as
pleasant plstime first in the Interest OF the author
and secondly for the enlightenment OF mankild
IL NAV not be worth Wine to make comparisons but
my Impression il that almost every publisher has
found that complaints OF unfair dealing or an lndiher-
rnce % the interest Ot the author have come not
from the success nj. hat the unsuccessful ones.
While it does not follow that tho hOObs OF the latter
were not worthy to receive just rccOguition tho
uncomfortable fact reu,ius that the books did not sell
Was it the fault OF the Publisher Surely having
put his reputat on, time, judgment, money IN the
venture and knowing that every copy sold would put
pennies IN HE purse how could he DO wholly ndier-
emit ~ to the sales Let any ono disposed To think that
the fault is with him. rather than with the puollc,
examine the publishers catalogue and get from MIN
the exact figures sales the dead books. Then
let him pass on wareroom and blndeTy ana look
upon tue massive piles of unsold volumes that have
so long been wing there waiting tor tho never return
iug ,ani,bcd hand of the buyer-and the publisher
has paid Tor the making OF them ALI
IA the relation OF the author and the publisher
should be one of amity. intsmuch as their interests
are identical / cannot but regret the temper OF the
present discussion IN the Authors Club and The news
plrers In "a somewhat long observation and expert
cnco have seldom known OF serious difficulty ars-
ing between an author and publisher. where there
was "A due recognition OF each others rights. Would
that snccessful authors Ike Mr.. Bcslnt and some
Others might render aid aud comfort TO their unsuc
ccssfnl brothers in some other way than by raising
questions as to the ability and honesty OF their pub
fishers"